1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

2Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.

4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

8But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

I == Deut 15:10 ; Prov 19:17 ; Isa 32:20 ; Matt 10:42 ; 2nd Cor 9:8 ; Gal 6:9-10 ; Heb 6:10

II == Ps 112:9 ; Mic 5:5 ; Luke 6:30 ; Eph 5:16 ; 1st tim 6:18-19

V == Ps 139:14-15 ; John 3:8

VII == Eccl 7:11

IX == Num 15:39 ; Eccl 12:14 ; Rom 2:6-11

X == 2nd Sam 19:35 ; Ps 39:5 ; Prov 22:6 ; Lam 3:27 ; 2nd cor 7:1 ; 2nd Tim 2:22

1 Cast your bread upon the waters; after a long time you may find it again.

2 Make seven or eight portions; you know not what misfortune may come upon the earth.

3 When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, wherever it falls, there shall it lie.

4 One who pays heed to the wind will not sow, and one who watches the clouds will never reap.

5 Just as you know not how the breath of life fashions the human frame in the mother's womb, So you know not the work of God which he is accomplishing in the universe.

6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening let not your hand be idle: For you know not which of the two will be successful, or whether both alike will turn out well.

7 Light is sweet! and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

8 However many years a man may live, let him, as he enjoys them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, while you are young and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, the vision of your eyes; Yet understand that as regards all this God will bring you to judgment.

10 Ward off grief from your heart and put away trouble from your presence, though the dawn of youth is fleeting.

v 1-6. v 1 Cast thy breas as rice is thrown in water and reproduces. Shaare voluntarily, and you will be blessed.
Three times in this portion v 2, 5, and 6 Solomon says “You do not know”, but since we do not know the future we are not to be negligent, but diligent. Our labors will eventually bear fruit, but we should invest in 7 or 8 enterprises instead of putting all our eggs in one basket. Too bad the people of Enron and other corporations didn’t heed that advice, which is also good advice in secular investment circles. We are to go about our crops or business, not always waiting for a more opportune time. We can not know the future, embryo development or the works of sovereign God, so keep active.

v 7,8. Solomon encourages the enjoyment of life, the darkness of death will soon put an end to those things of this life. (He is not speaking of eternal life and joys.)

v 9,10. Solomon suggested several times that we eat, drink and be merry, that we use nice clothes and lotions, 9:8, and enjoy marital bliss, 9:9. These things we should do in our youth when we can. However, as we indulge in these things, remember that we will some day be held accountable before God. With that in mind, we are to banish sorrow and put away evil from our lives.